Montford Point Marines Day ceremonies honor trailblazers

Published: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 04:56 PM.

Congressional Gold Medals were presented to 12 families during a ceremony held aboard Camp Johnson this week.

Monday morning’s Montford Point Marines Day ceremony recognized the trailblazing Marines who integrated the Corps. All Montford Point Marines who served from 1942 until 1949 were selected by Congress to receive the medal, which is awarded by Congress and is the highest civilian award in the United States. More than 400 Montford Point Mairnes have been awarded the medal.

“It is such a great honor, and we have been looking forward to this recognition for a long time now,” said Gwen Grear Brown, of Wilmington, the daughter of the late Montford Point Marine Theodora Grear Jr. “As military brats, we are really proud we get to honor him and see him be honored.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is just one more chapter in her father’s story, which will be told to nieces and grandchildren who never had the privilege of meeting her father and hearing his stories about opening doorways for others, said Brown.

“He was my hero,” Brown said. “He taught me the practical side of life. I always followed his lead. He’s been an inspiration to me my entire life, and I know he will continue to inspire others as time goes on.”

It was a special day as well for the four Montford Point Marines who could be present.

“It’s hard to explain what this day really means ... but this is a day I will always remember,” said Montford Pointer Norman Preston, who served from 1943 until 1946. “Words cannot express what it means to receive something like the Congressional Gold Medal for things we did 70 plus years ago. I’m just glad at 91 years old I’m here to talk about it.”

Congressional Gold Medals were presented to 12 families during a ceremony held aboard Camp Johnson this week.

Monday morning’s Montford Point Marines Day ceremony recognized the trailblazing Marines who integrated the Corps. All Montford Point Marines who served from 1942 until 1949 were selected by Congress to receive the medal, which is awarded by Congress and is the highest civilian award in the United States. More than 400 Montford Point Mairnes have been awarded the medal.

“It is such a great honor, and we have been looking forward to this recognition for a long time now,” said Gwen Grear Brown, of Wilmington, the daughter of the late Montford Point Marine Theodora Grear Jr. “As military brats, we are really proud we get to honor him and see him be honored.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is just one more chapter in her father’s story, which will be told to nieces and grandchildren who never had the privilege of meeting her father and hearing his stories about opening doorways for others, said Brown.

“He was my hero,” Brown said. “He taught me the practical side of life. I always followed his lead. He’s been an inspiration to me my entire life, and I know he will continue to inspire others as time goes on.”

It was a special day as well for the four Montford Point Marines who could be present.

“It’s hard to explain what this day really means ... but this is a day I will always remember,” said Montford Pointer Norman Preston, who served from 1943 until 1946. “Words cannot express what it means to receive something like the Congressional Gold Medal for things we did 70 plus years ago. I’m just glad at 91 years old I’m here to talk about it.”

Hearing the messages from President Barack Obama and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos read aloud during the ceremony showed Preston that there is a renewed commitment to ensure the Montford Point Marines are not forgotten, he said.

“I thank God that I was able to be a part of what happened at Montford Point,” Preston said. “I know I made a difference, but you can’t explain what we went through because people just don’t understand it. They don’t realize exactly what we had to endure. They can’t relate when we tell our stories.”

Sgt. Maj. Rodney Robinson, the senior enlisted leader for Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, said the Montford Point Marines should continue to be an inspiration to all Marines.

“If it’s part of your heritage, everyone should know it because it’s important to know your history,” Robinson said. “And it felt good to present (the Congressional Gold Medals) and thank the original Montford Pointers for their service.”

Robinson said he feels as though he is standing on the shoulders of the original Montford Pointers and cannot help but think that he may not be a sergeant major today if it were not for them, he said.

“Hopefully people will see the hard work, dedication and perseverance of the Montford Point Marines and be encouraged to do better — to strive for more,” Robinson said. “It was an honor for me to be here today with such great men who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice without any hesitation.”